Blast furnace cooling plate lock



y 1970 w. G-ILLUM, JR 3,512,767

BLAST. FURNACE COOLING PLATE LOCK I v I Filed Sept. 22, 1967 2 Shee'cS-Sheet 1 l i 2o /0 20 m I, H

l I I I ll I l6 19 u 230 a :5 :l 25 24- a "muf -25 l5 ll l l lm 26-" 23 26 -43 l5 l3 /9 I /8 l l4 INVENTOR.

/ WILLARD GILLUM, JR.

Attorney .May19,1970" 'w. GILLUM, JR i 3,512,767"

BLAST FURNACE COOLING PLATE LOCK Filed Sept. 22; 1967 2 Sheets-Sheeo 2 INVENTOR. WILLARD GILLUM, JR.

ww v A Home) United States Patent 0 US. Cl. 266-32 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A lock assembly preventing excessive axial movement of a blast furnace cooling plate both inwardly and outwardly, includes at least one anchor secured to the blast furnace shell or to a collar and having an opening therein to receive a securing pin. Various means on the outer end of a cooling plate make locking engagement with the pin. One such means comprises a block having an opening to receive the pin and a threaded end securable in a threaded recess in the plate. In another embodiment, one or more spaced lugs on a plate have a hole or holes'therein to receive a second securing pin that also passes through a hole in the first pin. In yet another embodiment a peripheral shoulder on a cooling plate is in abutting and locking relationship with a peripheral shoulder on the securing pin. The assemblies are adjustable to secure replacement cooling plates that may not be in the same axial position after replacement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to a locking assembly for holding a cooling plate embedded in the refractory wall of a blast furnace having a steel shell with an opening therein affording access to the plate.

Description of the prior art The wall of a blast furnace stack includes an outer steel Shell, a refractory lining, and a large number of cooling plates embedded in the lining. Each plate includes a hollow metal body, preferably copper, which has inlet and outlet connections for circulating a stream of water through the plate. The outer end of each plate is sealed with packing or the like in the shell or to a collar inserted in and sealed in the shell. The thickness of the lining varies at different heights, while the inner ends of all cooling plates are positioned the same distance from the inside facing of the lining. Since all the cooling plates customarily are of the same length, it is necessary for any locking assembly to allow the outer ends of the plates to be positioned differently with respect to the shell. During sudden pressure surges which occur from time to time in the normal operation of a blast furnace, there is a tendency for these plates to be forced axially out of their positions in the lining. This is prevented by the use of locking assemblies. 'In one prior art assembly a bent T-shaped bar has its short leg wedged between spaced yokes welded to the collar or furnace shell. The tip of the long leg bears against the outer face of a plate. The general arrangement of various cooling plates in a shell and other locking assemblies to prevent outward movement of a plate are disclosed in Pat. Nos. 2,722,412 and 3,185,465. Prior-art locking assemblies usually are not adaptable to be used with a variety of cooling plates, more particularly, the various means for axially positioning the plates. These locking assemblies cannot use a standard lock and are not adjustable when a replacement plate 3,512,767 Patented May 19, 1970 is in a different axial position. They cannot prevent or be modified to prevent excessive axial plate movement both inwardly and outwardly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION My locking assembly is provided for a blast furnace wall having an outwardly-opening recess therein that accommodates an elongated cooling plate. A collar may be inserted in the outer end of the recess between wall and plate. In the assembly, an anchor means on the collar has a securing pin removably inserted therethrough. Means on the outer end of the plate are adapted to make locking engagement with the pin.

One embodiment is adapted for use with a cooling plate having an outwardlyopening threaded recess. A block having a threaded end is threaded into the recess after which the securing pin may be inserted in an opening in the block.

Another embodiment is adapted for use with a cooling plate having one or more outwardly-extending lugs thereon. A second securing pin is removably inserted through the spaced openings in the lug and firstsecuring pin.

Yet another embodiment is adapted for use with a cooling plate having a transverse peripheral shoulder on the outer end thereof. A transverse, peripheral shoulder on the inner end of the securing pin is adapted to abut and to make locking engagement with the cooling-plate shoulder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A complete understanding of the invention may be obtained from the following detailed description and explanation which refer to the accompanying drawings illustrating the present preferred embodiments. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a vertical side elevatioinal view, partly in section, of a portion of a wall of a blast furnace equipped with one embodiment of a locking assembly in accordance with my invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the outer end of the cooling plate in a different position;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of a portion of a wall of a blast furnace equipped with a second embodiment of a locking assembly in accordance with my invention;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section on line IVIV of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a verticalside elevational view, partly in section, of a third embodiment of a locking assembly in accordance with my invention.

In the drawings there is shown a small portion of a conventional blast furnace stack Wall which includes a steel shell 10, a refractory lining 11 and a large number of water-cooled plates or coolers 12, 12a and 12b embedded in the lining and spaced at regular intervals. The wall has an outwardly opening recess 13 therein to accommodate a cooling plate and preferably a holder or collar 14 fitting in the outer end of recess 13. conventionally, collar 14 is attached to shell 10 by welding or by bolting (not shown). After positioning, a plate is sealed conventionally in collar 14 by packing 15.

In accordance with my invention and as' shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, I weld an outwardly projecting anchor means or block 16 to collar 14 a short distance above the top of plate 12. The outer end of block 16 preferably has an opening 17 therein to receive the long leg 18 of a securing pin 19, the under surface of a short leg 20 thereof facing outwardly and bearing on the upper surface of block 16. As illustrated, a pin 19 is preferably an L-shaped bar. The relative position of opening 17, as well as the distance block 16 extends outwardly of collar 14 varies depending on the distance which plate 12 projects from the shell. FIG. 1 shows the position for a plate which projects a relatively short distance, and FIG. 2, a greater distance. For a use to be described and as shown in FIG. 2, I weld an outwardly projecting second block 21 to collar 14, a short distance below the bottom of plate 12. The outer end of block 21 has an opening 22 therein, preferably a slot or recess, to receive leg 18.

Cooling plates have various means for positioning them axially in a recess. In FIGS. 1 and 2, plate 12 is provided with an outwardly opening, threaded recess 23 to receive a removable positioning tool, not shown. Recess 23 is machined in an enlarged outer end section 23a of the plate. Integral with the section, a conventional partition then extends inwardly for some distance as a baffle for the cooling water. In accordance with my invention, I provide a block 24 having a male thread 25 in the inner end thereof, adapted to be screwed into recess 23. The outer end of block 24 has an opening 26 therein, the axis thereof preferably being substantially perpendicular to the axis of threaded end 25. The block is adapted to receive and to make locking engagement with securing pin 19.

To remove a cooling plate 12, I tap the bottom of pin 19 upwardly to remove it. Block 24 is thereafter removed from recess 23. I can then insert a removing tool in recess 23 and withdraw plate 12 and replace it, after which I replace block 24 and pin 19. Variations in the axial position of a plate replacement from a former position may be simply effected by varying the position of threaded end 25 in recess 23. Two relative positions are illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

From the foregoing description, it is evident that my invention affords an extremely simple device for positively locking a cooling plate to the shell of a blast furnace. Prior-art locking assemblies of which I am aware prevented excessive axial movement of a plate outwardly, but not inwardly. More recently, it has been found that plates are drawn axially inwardly. A number of reasons for this phenomenon have been advanced. For example, materials are being charged which tend to stick the plates when exposed or to lining repair materials, such as gunite. In some instances the lining is worn away on the underside of the plates, the moving burden thereafter tilting the plates downwardly and inwardly. Excessive axial movement outwardly is prevented as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 by providing a relatively close fit between opening 26 and leg 18, despite providing a relatively loose fit between opening 17 and leg 18. The latter loose fit combined with the described variation in position of threaded end 25 in recess 23 makes it possible to lock a replacement plate into position. In practice, satisfactory results have been obtained when the diameters are 1% for opening 26; 1% for opening 17 and 1" for pin 19. Excessive axial movement inwardly is prevented by impingement of the lower end of leg 18 against collar 14 in FIG. 1 or against the inner end of opening 22 in block 21, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the outward end of cooling plate 12a is provided with one or more spaced pulling lugs 27, each having an opening 28 in the outer end thereof to receive a positioning tool, not shown. A block 16a is welded to collar 14. The outer end of block 16a has an opening 17a therein, which may be similar to opening 17 in FIGS. 1 and 2, but is shown here as an outwardly extending slot or recess. Opening 17a receives the long leg 18a of a securing pin 19a, the short leg 20a thereof facing inwardly and bearing on the upper surface of block 16a. A pin 29, for example, a spring or cotter pin serves to confine pin 19a in opening 17a. Leg 18a preferably is provided with an enlargement 30 intermediate the ends thereof, the enlargement having an opening 31 therein, spaced with respect to openings 28 to receive a removable securing pin 32 therethrough. The

4 latter may be secured, for example, with one or more spring or cotter pins 33.

FIGS. 3 and 4 may be considered as corresponding to FIG. 1 to accommodate a plate extending a relatively short distance outwardly of the shell. It is to be understood that FIGS. 3 and 4 may be modified as shown in FIG. 2, to accommodate a plate extending a greater distance from the shell.

Excessive movement outwardly of plate 12a is prevented by leg 20a bearing on block 16a. This occurs because pin 19a is caused to rotate slightly about pin 32 by contact with pin 29. Excessive axial movement inwardly is prevented by impingement of the lower end of leg 18a against collar 14.

To remove a cooling plate 12a, I remove pins 29 and 33, and tap pins 32 and 19a successively to remove them. I can then insert a removing tool through holes 28 of lugs 27 and withdraw plate 12a and replace it after which I replace the parts in the reverse order of that described above. Variations in the axial position of a plate replacement from a former position are effected by the relatively loose fits between opening 17a and pin 19:: and opening 31 and pin 32.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in FIG. 5, the outward end of cooling plate 12b is substantially rectangular in shape and is provided with an external flange or shoulder 34 around the periphery thereof to receive a removable tong-1ike positioning tool, not shown. I weld an outwardly projecting anchor means or block 21b to collar 14 a short distance below the bottom of plate 12b. The inner end of block 21b preferably has an elongated opening 22b therein to receive the long leg 18b of a securing pin 19b. As illustrated, block 21b is preferably a U-shaped bar and pin 19b an L-shaped plate section. A short leg 20b of pin 19b faces inwardly. The periphery or underside of leg 20b has welded thereto an external flange or shoulder 35 extending normal to and somewhat beyond leg 20b on either side thereof. In assembly, shoulder 35 is parallel to and abuts or is closely adjacent to shoulder 34 of plate 12b. Preferably, as illustrated, shoulder 35 is dimensioned so that its underside bears on the top of plate 12b, and the underside of leg 20b bears on the top of shoulder 34. Likewise, the inner edge of leg 18b abuts the outer face of shoulder 34. It is therefore evident that the respective peripheral shoulders as well as the named portions of pin 19b and plate 12b are in locking engagement with each other. A small clearance 36, provided between the respective shoulders for dimensional variations, will be closed quickly on relative movement of pin or plate. A pin 37, for example, a spring or cotter pin is inserted in leg 18b immediately below block 21b to secure pin 19b.

Excessive movement outwardly of plate 12b is prevented by a slight rotation of pin 19b about pin 37 against the outer face of opening 22b in block 21b. Additionally, this rotation will pull plate 12b downwardly and introduce increasing friction between the plate and furnace lining. Excessive movement inwardly of plate 12b is prevented by the inner edge of leg 20b impinging against collar 14.

To remove a plate 12b, I remove pin 37 and tap the bottom of pin 19b upwardly to remove it. I can then attach a removing tool on peripheral shoulder 34 and withdraw plate 12b and replace it, after which I replace pins 19b and 37. Elongated slot 22b in block 21b permits variation in the axial position of a plate replacement with respect to its former position. It is evident that the sizes of block 211) and opening 22b therein may be varied as previously pointed out to accommodate a plate extending a greater distance from the shell.

My invention is characterized by several distinct advantages. In the first place it provides a relatively simple locking assembly that prevents excessive axial cooling plate movement, both inwardly and outwardly.

Secondly, the locking assembly is adaptable for locking engagement between an anchored securing pin and a variety of means provided on the outer end of cooling plates for axially positioning cooling plates in a blast furnace wall.

Thirdly, the locking assembly is adaptable to accommodate cooling plates, the outer ends of which extend a greater or lesser distance from the shell.

Fourthly, any assembly can be locked into position despite variations in the axial position of a cooling plate after replacement.

Finally, a standard securing pin may be used on a furnace that is suitable for all cooling plates having the same replacement means on the outer end thereof.

Although I have disclosed herein the preferred apparatus and practice of my invention, I intend to cover as well any change or modification therein which may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. The combination with a blast furnace wall which includes a steel shell, a refractory lining, and an elongated cooling plate, said lining having an outwardly-opening recess therein to accommodate said cooling plate, said shell having an opening therein aligned with said recess, of a collar fitted in said opening and secured to said shell, an anchor block on said collar having an opening therein, a securing pin removably inserted through said opening, and means on the outer end of said cooling plate in locking engagement with said pin to hold said cooling plate against axial movement inwardly and outwardly in said recess.

2. The combination with a blast furnace wall having an outwardly opening recess therein to accommodate an elongated cooling plate and a collar fitting in the outer end of said recess, of an anchor block on the collar, a securing pin removably inserted through said anchor block, and means on the outer end of said cooling plate adapted to make locking engagement with said pin comprising a second block having a threaded end adapted to be secured in an outwardly opening recess in said cooling plate, said second block having an opening at the other end thereof adapted to receive said pin.

3. The combination defined in claim 1 characterized by said means on the outer end of said cooling plate comprising a second block having a threaded connection at one end with said cooling plate and an opening in its other end in which said pin is received.

4. The combination defined in claim 3 characterized by said pin comprising an L-shaped member having a long leg removably inserted through the said anchor and second block openings, and a short leg engaged with said anchor block about the said opening therein.

'5. The combination defined in claim 3 characterized by said collar having a third anchor block thereon, said third block having an opening therein aligned with said anchor block opening, said securing pin being removably inserted through the said openings in said first, second and third blocks.

6. The combination defined in claim 1 characterized by said means on the outer end of said cooling plate comprising a lug thereon, said lug and securing pin having aligned openings therein, and a second securing pin removably inserted through said aligned openings.

7. The combination defined in claim 1- characterized by said means on the outer end of said cooling plate comprising a pair of spaced lugs, said lugs and securing pin having aligned openings therein, a second securing pin removably inserted through said aligned openings, said second securing pin having an opening therein, and a third securing pin removably inserted through said latter opening to hold said second securing pin in locking engagement with said lugs and first securing pin.

8. The combination defined in claim 1 characterized by said pin comprising an L-shaped member, the short leg thereof extending inwardly and having an inner peripheral shoulder on the underside thereof, said means on the outer end of said cooling plate comprising an outer peripheral shoulder thereon, said respective shoulders abutting in locking engagement, when the long leg of said pin is removably inserted through the opening in said anchor block.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,647,041 10/1927 Gerwig 266-32 2,722,412 11/1955 Anderson et al 266-32 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,000,038 1/1957 Germany.

I. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Primary Examiner J. S. BROWN, Assistant Examiner 

